Aircraft seating systems

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus comprising a plurality of seating systems and a frame for use in a passenger aircraft. A first seating system in the plurality of seating systems may have different dimensions from a second seating system in the plurality of seating systems. A frame may be configured to be connected to the plurality of seating systems.

BACKGROUND INFORMATION

1. Field

The present disclosure relates generally to aircraft and, in particular,to aircraft seating systems.

2. Background

Commercial aircraft often may include a passenger cabin. This cabin maybe a section of the aircraft in which passengers travel. In commercialpassenger aircraft, a passenger cabin may be divided into several parts.These parts may include, for example, without limitation, passengerareas, areas for flight attendants, a galley, storage for in-flightservice, and other suitable sections. Seats within the passenger areamay be arranged in rows and aisles. The amount of space provided on aper passenger basis may increase with the presence of a higher travelclass. Different passenger areas for different travel classes may bedivided using curtains and/or monuments.

In designing a passenger area, such as a cabin for an aircraft,maximizing the passenger density may be desirable. In other words, itmay be desirable to fit as many passengers as possible in a passengerarea while meeting various requirements for passenger seating. Theserequirements may include, for example, without limitation, a certainpassenger space based on a class of travel, safety regulations, andother applicable requirements.

Passenger seating may be designed for passengers of a selected size. Forexample, without limitation, a seat for passengers may be designed toaccommodate passengers within about the 95^(th) percentile with respectto size. As a result, when a passenger has a size greater than about the95^(th) percentile, that passenger may be unable to use the seat.

Currently, airlines may place that passenger into two seats instead ofjust one seat in the aircraft because the passenger is unable to fitinto a single seat. In some cases, the passenger may be asked to pay foran additional ticket because the second seat may no longer be availablefor sale to another passenger.

Sometimes passengers who require more than one seat may be unable to payfor the additional seat. Additionally, some passengers may refuse to payfor the additional seat, viewing the requirement to purchase anadditional ticket as an unfair one. As a result, airlines may loserevenue and/or may have unhappy passengers when passengers are asked topay additional fees for another seat.

Therefore, it would be advantageous to have a method and apparatus thattakes into account at least some of the issues discussed above as wellas possibly other issues.

SUMMARY

In one advantageous embodiment, a passenger aircraft seating apparatuscomprises a plurality of seating systems and a frame. A first seatingsystem in the plurality of seating systems may have different dimensionsfrom a second seating system in the plurality of seating systems. Thefirst seating system may have first dimensions and the second seatingsystem may have second dimensions. The first dimensions may beconfigured to seat a first type of passenger and the second dimensionsmay be configured to seat a second type of passenger. The first type ofpassenger may have a hip width that is unable to fit in the secondseating system. The frame may be configured to be connected to theplurality of seating systems.

In another advantageous embodiment, a seating unit for an aircraftcomprises a plurality of seating systems, a number of adjustable armrests, and a frame. The plurality of seating systems may have a firstseating system having a first seat cushion and a first seat back and asecond seating system having a second seat cushion and a second seatback. The first seating system in the plurality of seating systems mayhave different dimensions from the second seating system in theplurality of seating systems. The first seating system may have firstdimensions and the second seating system may have second dimensions. Thefirst dimensions may be configured to seat a first type of passenger andthe second dimensions may be configured to seat a second type ofpassenger. The first type of passenger may have a hip width that isunable to fit in the second seating system. A first width of the firstseating system may be about 20 to 26 inches and a second width of thesecond seating system may be about 16 to 19 inches. The frame may beconfigured to be connected to the plurality of seating systems.

In yet another advantageous embodiment, an aircraft seating systemcomprises a fuselage, a first type of seating system, a second type ofseating system, a first plurality of seating systems, and a secondplurality of seating systems. The fuselage may have an untapered sectionand a tapered section. The first type of seating system may have firstdimensions configured to seat a first type of passenger. The second typeof seating system may have second dimensions configured to seat a secondtype of passenger. The second dimensions may be different from the firstdimension. The first type of passenger may have a hip width that isunable to fit in the second type of seating system. A first plurality ofseating systems in the untapered section may have a selected number ofseating systems in a selected row and a second plurality of seatingsystems located in one row of the tapered section may have at least oneless seating system in the row as compared to the first plurality ofseating systems in the selected row. The second plurality of seatingsystems may include at least one more seating system of the first typeof seating system as compared to the first plurality of seating systems.

In yet another advantageous embodiment, a method for configuring anaircraft is provided. A fuselage design for the aircraft may beidentified. A passenger area with seating units may be configured inwhich a number of the seating units may have a plurality of seatingsystems. A first seating system in the plurality of seating systems mayhave different dimensions from a second seating system in the pluralityof seating systems. The first seating system may have first dimensionsand the second seating system may have second dimensions. The firstdimensions may be configured to seat a first type of passenger and thesecond dimensions may be configured to seat a second type of passenger.The first type of passenger may have a hip width that is unable to fitin the second seating system. The number of seating units also may havea frame configured to be connected to the plurality of seating systems.

In yet another advantageous embodiment, a method for assigning seatingsystems in an aircraft to passengers is provided. A type of passengermay be identified for a passenger. A seating system may be selected fromone of a first seating system and may have first dimensions and a secondseating system may have second dimensions. The first seating system mayhave first dimensions configured to seat a first type of passenger andthe second seating system may have second dimensions that may beconfigured to seat a second type of passenger. The first type ofpassenger may have a hip width that is unable to fit in the secondseating system.

The features, functions, and advantages can be achieved independently invarious embodiments of the present disclosure or may be combined in yetother embodiments in which further details can be seen with reference tothe following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The novel features believed characteristic of the advantageousembodiments are set forth in the appended claims. The advantageousembodiments, however, as well as a preferred mode of use, furtherobjectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by referenceto the following detailed description of an advantageous embodiment ofthe present disclosure when read in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an illustration of an aircraft in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an illustration of a block diagram of an aircraft inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an illustration of an aircraft design environment inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an illustration of an aircraft seating selection system inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an illustration of a passenger area in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of a passenger area in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are illustrations of a passenger area in accordance withan advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of a passenger area with seating units inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of a passenger area with seating units inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of a passenger area with seating units in atapered section of a fuselage in accordance with an advantageousembodiment;

FIG. 11 is an illustration of a fuselage with seating units inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 12 is an illustration of a seating unit in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment;

FIG. 13 is an illustration of an exploded view of a seating unit inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 14 is an illustration of arm rests in a portion of a frame inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 15 is an illustration of arm rest configurations in accordance withan advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 16 is an illustration of a flowchart of a process for configuringan aircraft in accordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an illustration of a flowchart of a process for assigningseating systems in accordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 18 is an illustration of characteristics for passengers used toidentify seating units in accordance with an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 19 is an illustration of a data processing system in accordancewith an advantageous embodiment;

FIG. 20 is an illustration of an aircraft manufacturing and servicemethod in accordance with an advantageous embodiment; and

FIG. 21 is an illustration of an aircraft in which an advantageousembodiment may be implemented.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The different advantageous embodiments recognize and take into accountone or more different considerations. For example, the differentadvantageous embodiments recognize and take into account that when apassenger requires more than one seat, another passenger may be unableto use the seat. As a result, a passenger may be bumped from a flight ifthe flight is full.

Additionally, the different advantageous embodiments recognize and takeinto account that passengers who may require more than one seat ineconomy class may be able to use a single seat in business or firstclass. However, oftentimes, a passenger may not be able to afford thesemore expensive seats. This situation may result in non-affordability ofseats for some passengers, discomfort, frustration, and otherundesirable results.

Thus, the different advantageous embodiments provide an aircraft seatingsystem which may provide for increased flexibility in using space in theinterior of an aircraft. For example, in one advantageous embodiment, anapparatus may comprise a plurality of seating systems in a frame. Afirst seating system in the plurality of seating systems may have adifferent characteristic from a second seating system in the pluralityof seating systems. The frame may be configured to be connected to theplurality of seating systems.

The different advantageous embodiments recognize and take into accountthat changing the width of the fuselage may provide room needed to fit adesired number of seats, especially in a tapered section of the fuselageof the aircraft. The different advantageous embodiments recognize andtake into account that this type of change may not be as easy to make asit seems.

For example, changing the width of a fuselage by an inch may result inmuch larger changes in weight and drag in the aircraft. Changing thewidth of a fuselage by one inch may increase the surface area of theaircraft by a much larger amount. The increase in surface area mayincrease the drag. Similar increases in weight also may occur. Thus, thedifferent advantageous embodiments recognize and take into account thatchanging the width or other dimensions of the fuselage may beundesirable as well as possibly impractical.

With reference now to the figures and, in particular, with reference nowto FIG. 1, an illustration of an aircraft is depicted in accordance withan advantageous embodiment. In this illustrative example, aircraft 100may be passenger aircraft 101 that is configured to carry passengers.Aircraft 100 may have wing 102 and wing 104 attached to fuselage 106.Aircraft 100 also may have horizontal stabilizer 108, horizontalstabilizer 110, and vertical stabilizer 112. Engine 114 may be attachedto wing 104, and engine 116 may be attached to wing 102.

In these illustrative examples, one or more advantageous embodiments maybe implemented in passenger cabin 118 located within fuselage 106. Oneor more of these advantageous embodiments may increase the comfortand/or number of passengers that may be carried within passenger cabin118.

In this illustrative example, fuselage 106 may have untapered section120 and tapered section 122 in which passenger cabin 118 is located. Asillustrated, untapered section 120 has width 124 that may besubstantially the same along length 126 of untapered section 120. Asdepicted, tapered section 122 has width 128 that may taper along length130 of tapered section 122.

With reference now to FIG. 2, an illustration of a block diagram of anaircraft is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Inthis illustrative example, aircraft 100 in FIG. 1 may be an example ofan implementation for aircraft 200 shown in block form in FIG. 2.

In this illustrative example, aircraft 200 may be passenger aircraft 201and may have fuselage 202 and may have structural parameters 204 forfuselage 202. Structural parameters 204 may include, for example,without limitation, at least one of weight, area of fuselage crosssection, perimeter of the fuselage, shape of the cross section,structural reinforcements, and other suitable parameters.

As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list ofitems, means different combinations of one or more of the listed itemsmay be used and only one of each item in the list may be needed. Forexample, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may include, forexample, without limitation, item A, or item A and item B. This examplealso may include item A, item B, and item C, or item B and item C.

In these illustrative examples, number of cabins 206 may be presentwithin fuselage 202. In this illustrative example, number of cabins 206may be located on number of decks 208. Each deck in number of decks 208may be located on a different level in aircraft 200. As depicted, cabin210 in number of cabins 206 may be located on deck 212 in number ofdecks 208.

Number of cabins 206 may have various areas. For example, withoutlimitation, cabin 210 in number of cabins 206 may include, for example,without limitation, flight attendant area 214, galley 216, storage area218, passenger area 220, and other suitable areas.

Plurality of seating units 222 may be present in passenger area 220 incabin 210. Plurality of seating units 222 may be arranged in rows 224and columns 226 in passenger area 220.

In this illustrative example, seating unit 228 in plurality of seatingunits 222 may comprise plurality of seating systems 230 and frame 232.

First seating system 234 in plurality of seating systems 230 for seatingunit 228 may have first dimensions 236. Second seating system 238 forplurality of seating systems 230 may have second dimensions 240.

As depicted, first dimensions 236 may be different from seconddimensions 240. In other words, first dimensions 236 may be differentdimensions 242 from second dimensions 240. In particular, first width244 in first dimensions 236 for first seating system 234 may bedifferent from second width 246 in second dimensions 240 for secondseating system 238.

As one illustrative example, first width 244 may be greater than secondwidth 246. For example, first width 244 may be from about 21 inches toabout 25 inches while second width 246 may be about 18 inches. In thisillustrative example, second width 246 may be a standard width. Thestandard width may be one configured to fit a passenger that is withinabout the 95^(th) percentile in size. A passenger that is within the95^(th) percentile in size may be a passenger that has a size that issmaller than about the largest 5 percent of passenger sizes.

In these illustrative examples, frame 232 may be configured to beconnected to plurality of seating systems 230. As used herein, a firstcomponent, such as frame 232, “connected to” a second component, such asa seating system in plurality of seating systems 230, means that thefirst component, frame 232, can be connected directly or indirectly tothe second component, the seating system in plurality of seating systems230. In other words, additional components may be present between thefirst component, frame 232, and the second component, the seating systemin plurality of seating systems 230. The first component, frame 232, maybe considered to be indirectly connected to the second component, theseating system in plurality of seating systems 230, when one or moreadditional components are present between the two components. When thefirst component, frame 232, is directly connected to the secondcomponent, the seating system in plurality of seating systems 230, noadditional components may be present between the two components.

As depicted, first seating system 234 may have first seat cushion 248and first seat back 250. Second seating system 238 may have second seatcushion 252 and second seat back 254. First width 244 may be first seatwidth 256 for first seat cushion 248. Second width 246 may be secondseat width 258 for second seat cushion 252.

First seat cushion 248 and second seat cushion 252 may be manufacturedusing any materials currently used for seat cushions in aircraft. In asimilar fashion, first seat back 250 and second seat back 254 also maybe constructed using any materials currently used for seat backs inaircraft.

Frame 232 may be constructed from any material suitable for use tosupport plurality of seating systems 230 with passengers or other loads.For example, frame 232 may be constructed from at least one of acomposite material, aluminum, steel, titanium, and other suitable typesof materials. In these illustrative examples, the material selected maybe one that is capable of providing a desired amount of structuralstrength to support plurality of seating systems 230 and a number ofpassengers. In these illustrative examples, the selection of thematerial may be one designed to support passengers having a size greaterthan about a 95^(th) percentile based on a configuration of frame 232.

Additionally, pitch 260 may be adjusted between rows 224 for pluralityof seating units 222. For example, pitch 260 may be increased to provideadditional leg room in some places within passenger area 220. Forexample, increased pitch may be present to provide increased leg roomfor seating unit 228 as compared to seating units in other rows or areasin these illustrative examples.

In these illustrative examples, a seating system in plurality of seatingsystems 230 may be selected for a passenger based on type of passenger269. In these illustrative examples, type of passenger 269 is based ondimensions of a passenger. These dimensions may be, for example, withoutlimitation, width, hip width, shoulder width, height, and/or othersuitable dimensions.

First seating system 234 may be assigned to first type of passenger 270,while second seating system 238 may be assigned to second type ofpassenger 272. In these illustrative examples, first type of passenger270 may be unable to fit into second seating system 238 configured forsecond type of passenger 272.

In these illustrative examples, first dimensions 236 may be configuredto seat first type of passenger 270, while second dimensions 240 may beconfigured to seat second type of passenger 272. When first type ofpassenger 270 is larger than second type of passenger 272, second typeof passenger 272 also may be able to use first seating system 234.

With first seating system 234 having first dimensions 236 configured tofit first type of passenger 270 when second seating system 238 withsecond dimensions 240 is unable to seat first type of passenger 270,seating systems may be assigned to first type of passenger 270 withoutrequiring assigning another seating system. For example, if first typeof passenger 270 is assigned to second seating system 238, then secondtype of passenger 272 may require another seating system, such as secondseating system 238, to accommodate first type of passenger 270.

As a result, fewer passengers may be seated without seating units, suchas seating unit 228. In these illustrative examples, first width 244,and in particular, first seat width 256, may be configured to fit firstwidth 273 of first type of passenger 270. In this illustrative example,first width 273 may be first hip width 274 of first type of passenger270. Additionally, first seat width 256 also may be able to fit secondwidth 275 of second type of passenger 272. As depicted, second width 275may be second hip width 276 of second type of passenger 272. In theseillustrative examples, second width 246, and in particular, second seatwidth 258 in second seating system 238, may be unable to fit first hipwidth 274 for first type of passenger 270, but able to fit second hipwidth 276 of second type of passenger 272.

In the depicted examples, second seating system 238 may be standardseating system 278 while first seating system 234 may be oversizedseating system 280. Standard seating system 278 may be configured toreceive second type of passenger 272 having second hip width 276 withinabout the 98^(th) percentile in hip widths. A hip width that is withinabout the 98^(th) percentile means that the hip width is less than aboutthe largest 2 percent of hip widths. With this type of configuration,oversized seating system 280 may be configured to seat first type ofpassenger 270 having first hip width 274 that is greater than about the98 percentile. Of course, other percentiles may be selected into otherimplementations.

As another illustrative example that is non-limiting, standard seatingsystem 278 may be configured to seat second type of passenger 272 withsecond hip width 276 that is within about the 95^(th) percentile. Withthis example, oversized seating system 280 may be configured to seatfirst type of passenger 270 with first hip width 274 that is greaterthan about the 95^(th) percentile.

Further, with oversized seating system 280, this seating system may beconfigured to also accommodate first type of passenger 270 with firsthip width 274 that is in the range of hip widths greater than about the99^(th) percentile. Further, although these illustrative examplesdiscuss accommodating passengers based on hip width, other measurementsfor the passengers may be taken into account. For example, withoutlimitation, height, shoulder width, and other suitable measurements forpassengers may be used.

In these illustrative examples, first seating system 234 may be firsttype of seating system 282 in plurality of seating units 222. Secondseating system 238 may be second type of seating system 284 in pluralityof seating units 222.

The illustration of aircraft 200 in FIG. 2 is not meant to implyphysical or architectural limitations to the manner in which anadvantageous embodiment may be implemented. Other components in additionto, and/or in place of, the ones illustrated may be used. Somecomponents may be unnecessary. Also, the blocks are presented toillustrate some functional components. One or more of these blocks maybe combined and/or divided into different blocks when implemented in anadvantageous embodiment.

For example, in some illustrative examples, aircraft 200 may have asingle deck, two decks, or some other number of decks, depending on theparticular implementation. Further, in some illustrative examples,passenger area 220 may only have a single column of seats.

Further, other dimensions in first dimensions 236 and second dimensions240 may be different within seating unit 228. For example, the depth ofthe seat cushions may be different from each other. Also, the width offirst seat back 250 and second seat back 254 may be different or thesame width depending on the particular implementation.

In yet other illustrative examples, other dimensions for othercomponents of a seating system also may be different in first dimensions236 and second dimensions 240. For example, without limitation, a heightof a seat cushion relative to a seat floor may be varied in at least oneof first dimensions 236 and second dimensions 240. The seat floor may bea floor in the aircraft on which the seating systems are placed. Theheight may be varied to accommodate passengers of different heights.

In still another illustrative example, although plurality of seatingunits 222 has been described as being arranged by rows and columns, theconfiguration of plurality of seating units 222 may be described indifferent ways. For example, plurality of seating units 222 may bearranged in groups in cabin 210. In another example, plurality ofseating units 222 may be described as being arranged by rows andgroupings on a left hand portion of cabin 210 and a right hand portionof cabin 210.

As another illustrative example, first seating system 234 may have firstseat width 256 that may be at least about 20 inches, and second seatingsystem 238 may have second seat width 258 that may be from about 16inches to about 19 inches. As a more specific example, first seat width256 may be from about 20 inches to about 26 inches. In still anotherillustrative example, first seating system 234 may have first seat width256 that may be configured to seat first type of passenger 270 beinggreater than about the 98^(th) percentile in first hip width 274.

In yet another illustrative example, first width 244 of first seatingsystem 234 may be configured to fit first width 273 of first type ofpassenger 270 in which first width 273 may be a shoulder width of firsttype of passenger 270 instead of or in addition to first hip width 274.As another illustrative example, second width 275 may be a shoulderwidth of second type of passenger 272 instead of or in addition tosecond hip width 276.

With reference now to FIG. 3, an illustration of an aircraft designenvironment is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment.In this illustrative example, aircraft design environment 300 is anexample of a design environment that may be used to design aircraft 200shown in block form in FIG. 2. In particular, aircraft designenvironment 300 may be used to design configurations of passenger area220.

As depicted, design module 302 may generate passenger area design 306and/or fuselage design 308 based on input 310. Passenger area design 306may be a design for passenger area 220 in aircraft 200 shown in blockform in FIG. 2. Fuselage design 308 may be a design for fuselage 202 ofaircraft 200 shown in block form in FIG. 2.

Passenger area design 306 may be generated based on fuselage design 308in these illustrative examples. In other illustrative examples,passenger area design 306 may affect the design of fuselage design 308.

As depicted, input 310 may specify various design goals or parameters.For example, without limitation, input 310 may include passengerdensity, number of passengers, aircraft size, and other suitable typesof input. In some advantageous embodiments, input 310 may includefuselage design 308.

Design module 302 may be implemented using software, hardware, or acombination of the two. In particular, design module 302 may be locatedin computer system 304. Computer system 304 may comprise a number ofcomputers. When more than one computer is present in computer system304, those computers may be in communication with each other.

With input 310, design module 302 may generate configuration 312 forpassenger area design 306. Configuration 312 for passenger area design306 may describe a passenger area, such as passenger area 220 shown inblock form in FIG. 2.

Passenger area design 306 may be created from input 310 taking intoaccount policy 314. Policy 314 may be a set of rules and may includedata to create passenger area design 306. For example, withoutlimitation, policy 314 may specify a desired density or number ofpassengers that may be carried within passenger area design 306. Asanother example, policy 314 also may include rules as to the amount ofspace desired for a particular passenger. In yet another illustrativeexample, policy 314 may identify a number of seating systems that may beneeded to accommodate passengers who may be unable to fit into a seatsize selected as a standard seat size for the aircraft. In theseillustrative examples, a standard seat size may be one that fitspassengers up to about the 95^(th) percentile in size. In other words, astandard seat size may fit passengers who have a size that is about the95^(th) percentile or less.

Policy 314 also may take into account structural design parameters 316in fuselage design 308. Structural design parameters 316 may include,for example, without limitation, cross-sectional shape 318, width 320,length 322, number of decks 324, and other suitable parameters. With anidentification of fuselage design 308, passenger area design 306 may bedesigned to have configuration 312 based on policy 314.

In particular, configuration 312 may include seating units 326, rows328, columns 330, aisles 332, and other suitable components forpassenger area design 306. Seating units 326 may be of different typesselected for use in a passenger area. Seating units 326 may include, forexample, without limitation, seating units, such as seating unit 228shown in block form in FIG. 2.

Rows 328 may identify the number of rows and the type of seating units326 present in rows 328. Columns 330 may identify the number of columnsin passenger area design 306. Aisles 332 may identify spaces in whichpassengers and crew may traverse within passenger design area 306.

In this manner, design module 302 may generate configuration 312 forpassenger area design 306 taking into account fuselage design 308. Inselecting seating units 326 for configuration 312 for passenger areadesign 306, design module 302 may take into account width 320.

For example, width 320 may be untapered or may vary for passenger areadesign 306. When width 320 is substantially untapered along a portion oflength 322, untapered section 336 may be present in fuselage design 308for passenger area design 306. If width 320 varies along a portion oflength 322, tapered section 338 may be present in fuselage design 308.

In other words, untapered section 336 may be a section in fuselagedesign 308 that has an untapered value for width 320 along a portion oflength 322. Tapered section 338 may be a portion of fuselage design 308in which width 320 decreases in value along a portion of length 322.

As another example, cross-sectional shape 318 also may be taken intoaccount. Curve 334 in cross-sectional shape 318 may affect, for example,without limitation, the amount of headroom in passenger area design 306.

Seating units 326 may be selected for tapered section 338 in a mannerthat may increase seat sizes for some seating systems in some seatingunits that may be located in tapered section 338. Additionally, alocation of a deck in number of decks 324 also may affect the selectionof seating units 326 in configuration 312 for a particular deck. Forexample, if a deck in number of decks 324 is located higher withincross-sectional shape 318 of fuselage design 308 as compared to anotherdeck, the curvature in the walls at that location for the deck mayreduce headroom.

As a result, in selecting seating units 326 for configuration 312 ofpassenger area design 306, a seating unit, such as seating unit 228shown in block form in FIG. 2, may be used for seating units that may beclose to a wall in fuselage design 308. In this manner, configuration312 may increase the number of passengers, reduce wasted space, identifyseating to increase revenues, and other suitable parameters.

The illustration of aircraft design environment 300 in FIG. 3 is notmeant to imply limitations to the manner in which an aircraft designenvironment may be implemented. In some illustrative examples,configuration 312 also may include monuments and other structures. Forexample, without limitation, configuration 312 may include walls,closets, storage areas, galleys, and other suitable components.

Turning next to FIG. 4, an illustration of an aircraft seating selectionsystem is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Inthis illustrative example, aircraft seating selection system 400comprises computer system 402. Computer system 402 may take the form ofnumber of computers 404. Seat assignment module 406 may be present incomputer system 402. Seat assignment module 406 may be hardware,software, or a combination of the two.

Seat assignment module 406 may be configured to assign seating systems408 to passengers 410 in these illustrative examples. Seating systems408 may be assigned to passengers 410 based on passenger types 412.

As depicted, passenger types 412 include first type of passenger 414 andsecond type of passenger 416. Of course, in other illustrative examples,additional passenger types may be present depending on the particularimplementation.

Seat assignment module 406 identifies a seating system from seatingsystems 408 based on passenger types 412 for a particular passenger.

In these illustrative examples, seating systems 408 may comprisestandard seating systems 418 and oversized seating systems 420. Firsttype of passenger 414 may be assigned to oversized seating systems 420while second type of passenger 416 may be assigned to standard seatingsystems 418.

The assignments made by seat assignment module 406 may create passengerseating 422. In addition, in generating passenger seating 422, seatassignment module 406 may also take into account passenger preferences424. For example, a passenger preference in passenger preferences 424may request a particular aisle, row, class, seat type, an aisle seatingsystem, a window seating system, or other preferences.

In some illustrative examples, seat assignment module 406 may assignsecond type of passenger 416 to standard seating systems 418 based on arequest. With this type of assignment, a higher price may be charged tothat particular passenger.

With reference now to FIG. 5, an illustration of a passenger area isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. In thisillustrative example, passenger area 500 may be located in cabin 502 ofaircraft 504. Passenger area 500 may be an example of a physicalimplementation of passenger area 220 illustrated in block form in FIG.2. In particular, passenger area 500 may be an example of animplementation of configuration 312 in FIG. 3.

In this illustrative example, plurality of seating units 506 may belocated in passenger area 500. In this illustrative example, pluralityof seating units 506 may be arranged by rows and columns. As depicted,rows 508, 510, 512, 514, 516, 518, and 520 may be present in passengerarea 500. Columns 532 and 534 with aisle 536 may be present.

As depicted, seating unit 538 may be located in row 508 of passengerarea 500. Seating unit 538 may be an example of a physicalimplementation for seating unit 228 shown in block form in FIG. 2.

In this illustrative example, seating unit 538 may include seatingsystem 542, seating system 544, and seating system 546. Seating systems542, 544, and 546 may be attached to a single frame (not shown) in thisillustrative example. Seat cushion 548 for seating system 542 may havewidth 550. Seat cushion 552 for seating system 544 may have width 554.Seat cushion 556 for seating system 546 may have width 558. In theseillustrative examples, width 550 and width 554 may be the same. Width558 may be greater than width 550 and width 554.

With width 558, passengers that are unable to fit into seating system542 or seating system 544 may be able to use seating system 546. In thismanner, seating system 542 and seating system 544 may not be assigned toa passenger when the passenger is unable to fit into just one of seatingsystem 542 or seating system 544.

Further, when width 558 is greater than width 554 and width 550, seatingsystem 546 may be considered a higher level of seating as compared toseating system 544 and seating system 542. As a result, increased feesmay be charged for a passenger desiring seating system 546. However,this increased seating may be less than the cost of an extra ticket orfor a seat in a higher class in the cabin.

With reference now to FIG. 6, an illustration of a passenger area isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. In thisillustrative example, another configuration for passenger area 500 isdepicted in this figure.

Seating unit 600 may be used in place of seating unit 538 in FIG. 5.Seating unit 600 may comprise seating system 602, seating system 604,and seating system 606. In this illustrative example, seat cushion 608may have width 610, seat cushion 612 may have width 614, and seatcushion 616 may have width 618. Width 614 may be the same as width 618.

Width 618 and width 614 may be greater than width 610 in theseillustrative examples. For example, width 610 may be about 18 inches,while width 614 and width 618 may be about 21 inches. With thisconfiguration of seating unit 600, seating system 604 and seating system606 may be considered to be oversized seats in seating unit 600.

Turning next to FIGS. 7A and 7B, illustrations of a passenger area aredepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. In this depictedexample, passenger area 700 is illustrated within cabin 702 for aircraft704. Passenger area 700 may be an example of a physical implementationof configuration 312 for passenger area design 306 in FIG. 3.

In this particular example, passenger area 700 may be divided intosection 706 and section 708. These different sections may offerdifferent classes of seating, types of seating, or other variationsdepending on the particular implementation. Passenger area 700 may haveplurality of seating units 710 located within section 706 and section708.

As depicted, plurality of seating units 710 may be arranged in rows andcolumns. In this illustrative example, rows 712, 713, 714, 715, 716,717, 718, and 719 may be present in columns 720 and 721 in section 706of passenger area 700. Rows 724, 725, 726, 727, 728, 730, 732, 734, 736,738, and 740 may be present in columns 720 and 721 in section 708 ofpassenger area 700.

In these illustrative examples, seating units 741, 742, 743, 744, 745,746, 747, 748, 749, 751, 752, 753, 754, 755, 756, 757, 758, and 759 inplurality of seating units 710 may be implemented using seating unit 228shown in block form in FIG. 2. In this manner, the seating systemsadjacent to side 761 and side 762 of aircraft 704 may be larger in widththan other seating systems.

For example, seating unit 741 may have seating system 763, seatingsystem 764, and seating system 765. Seat cushion 766 in seating system763 may have width 767. Seat cushion 768 in seating system 764 may havewidth 769. Seat cushion 770 in seating system 765 may have width 771. Ascan be seen in this illustrative example, width 767 may be greater thanwidth 769 or width 771. Seating system 763 may be adjacent to side 762.

In this illustrative example, width 767 for seat cushion 766 in seatingsystem 763 may be about 25 inches. Width 769 for seat cushion 768 inseating system 764 and width 771 for seat cushion 770 in seating system765 may be about 18 inches.

As another illustrative example, seating unit 753 may have seatingsystem 772, seating system 774, and seating system 775. Seat cushion 776in seating system 772 may have width 777 and seat cushion 778 in seatingsystem 774 may have width 779. Seat cushion 780 in seating system 775may have width 781.

In these illustrative examples, width 777 may be greater than width 779or width 781. In these illustrative examples, width 777 may be about 25inches. Width 779 and width 781 may be about 18 inches.

As can be seen, the seating systems adjacent to side 761 and side 762may have a larger width as opposed to other seating systems in theseating unit. In these illustrative examples, the larger width may takeinto account reduced headroom that may be present in the curvature ofaircraft 704 at side 761 and side 762.

As a result, with larger widths for seat cushions in seating systems, ahigher level of comfort may be provided in section 708 as compared toother seating systems. Further, these larger seating systems may be usedby oversized passengers that may otherwise need two seating systems. Thepricing of a seating system, such as seating system 763, may be greaterthan the price for seating system 764. However, if section 706 is ahigher class of seating than section 708, seating system 763 may stillbe less expensive than seating systems in section 706.

With reference now to FIG. 8, an illustration of a passenger space withseating units is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment.Passenger area 800 may be an example of a physical implementation forconfiguration 312 in passenger area design 306 in FIG. 3.

In this illustrative example, passenger area 800 includes plurality ofseating units 802. In this illustrative example, plurality of seatingunits 802 may be located in aft section 804 of aircraft 806. Pluralityof seating units 802 may include seating unit 808, seating unit 810, andseating unit 812 in this illustrative example. In this depicted example,cabin wall 813 may have curve 814. With curve 814, seating units 808,810, and 812 may have different widths depending on curve 814 of cabinwall 813.

As depicted, seating unit 808 may comprise seating system 816, seatingsystem 818, and seating system 820. Seating unit 810 may compriseseating system 822, seating system 824, and seating system 826. Seatingunit 812 may comprise seating system 828, seating system 830, andseating system 832. As illustrated, seating system 816 may comprise seatcushion 834 and seat back 836. Seating system 818 may comprise seatcushion 838 and seat back 840. Seating unit 820 may comprise seatcushion 842 and seat back 844.

In seating unit 810, seating system 822 may comprise seat cushion 846and seat back 848. Seating system 824 may comprise seat cushion 850 andseat back 852. Seating system 826 may comprise seat cushion 854 and seatback 856. In this illustrative example, seating system 828 in seatingunit 812 may comprise seat cushion 858 and seat back 860. Seating system830 may comprise seat cushion 862 and seat back 864. Seating system 832may comprise seat cushion 867 and seat back 869.

In these illustrative examples, both seat cushion 834 and seat back 836may have width 865. Seat cushion 838 and seat back 840 may have width866. Both seat cushion 842 and seat back 844 may have width 868.

In seating system 822, seat cushion 846 and seat back 848 may have width870. Seat cushion 850 and seat back 852 may have width 872. Seat cushion854 and seat back 856 may have width 874. Seat cushion 858 and seat back860 may have width 876 in these illustrative examples. Seat cushion 862and seat back 864 may have width 878. In seating system 832, seatcushion 867 and seat back 869 may have width 880.

In these illustrative examples, widths 865, 866, 870, 872, 876, and 878may be about 18 inches. Width 868 may be about 24 inches. Width 874 maybe about 23.5 inches. Width 880 may be about 22 inches.

The width of seating systems along side 882 of cabin wall 813 may havedifferent widths to take into account curve 814 of cabin wall 813. Inthis manner, larger seat widths may be employed or applicable whentaking into account curve 814 of cabin wall 813. Further, thesedifferent widths also may be used to accommodate passengers of differentsizes that may not fit into a seating system, such as seating system816.

With reference now to FIG. 9, an illustration of a passenger area withseating units is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment.In this illustrative example, passenger area 900 may be an example of animplementation for passenger area 220 shown in block form in FIG. 2.

The configuration of passenger area 900 may be for an unconventionalaircraft payload configuration.

In this illustrative example, passenger area 900 may include pluralityof seating units 902. Plurality of seating units 902 may be configuredin rows 904, 906, 908, 910, 912, and 914. In this illustrative example,wall 916 for fuselage 917 may face forward in flight direction 918. Inthese illustrative examples, plurality of seating units 902 may compriseseating units 920, 922, 924, 926, 928, 930, 932, 934, 936, 938, 940, and942. Seating units 932, 934, 936, 938, 940, and 942 may be adjacent towall 916. These seating units may be implemented using seating unit 228shown in block form in FIG. 2.

In this illustrative example, seating unit 932 may comprise seatingsystem 943 and seating system 944. Seating unit 934 may comprise seatingsystem 945 and seating system 946. Seating unit 936 may comprise seatingsystem 947 and seating system 948. Seating unit 938 may comprise seatingsystem 949 and seating system 950. Seating unit 940 may comprise seatingsystem 951 and seating system 952. Seating unit 942 may comprise seatingsystem 953 and seating system 954.

In these illustrative examples, seating system 944 may have seat cushion955 and seat back 957. These components may have width 958. Seat cushion959 and seat back 960 in seating system 943 may have width 961.

In seating unit 934, seating system 946 may have seat cushion 962 andseat back 964. Seat cushion 962 and seat back 964 may have width 965 inthis depicted example. Seating system 945 may have seat cushion 966 andseat back 967. These components may have width 968.

Seating system 948 in seating unit 936 may have seat cushion 969 andseat back 970. These components may have width 971. Seat cushion 972 andseat back 973 in seating system 947 may have width 974.

In seating unit 938, seating system 950 may have seat cushion 975 andseat back 976. These components may have width 977. Seat cushion 978 andseat back 979 in seating system 949 may have width 980. Seat cushion 981and seat back 982 may have width 983 in seating system 952. In seatingsystem 951, seat cushion 984 and seat back 985 may have width 986.

In seating unit 942, seating system 954 may have seat cushion 987 andseat back 988 with width 989. In seating system 953, seat cushion 990and seat back 991 may have width 992.

In these illustrative examples, widths 958, 965, 971, 977, 983, and 989may be greater than widths 961, 968, 974, 980, 986, and 992. In theseillustrative examples, widths 958, 965, 971, 977, 983, and 989 may beabout 25 inches. Widths 961, 968, 974, 980, 986, and 992 may be about 18inches.

Turning next to FIG. 10, an illustration of a passenger area withseating units in a tapered section of a fuselage is depicted inaccordance with an advantageous embodiment. In this illustrativeexample, passenger area 1000 may be an example of an implementation forpassenger area 220 shown in block form in FIG. 2.

As depicted, passenger area 1000 may include plurality of seating units1002. In this illustrative example, plurality of seating units 1002 maybe located in aft section 1004 of aircraft 1006.

In this illustrative example, plurality of seating units 1002 maycomprise seating units 1010, 1012, 1014, 1016, 1018, 1020, 1022, 1024,1026, 1028, 1030, 1032, 1034, 1036 and 1038. In this illustrativeexample, seating units 1010, 1012, and 1014 may be located in row 1040.Seating units 1016, 1018, and 1020 may be located in row 1042. Seatingunits 1022, 1024, and 1026 may be located in row 1044. Seating units1028, 1030, and 1032 may be located in row 1046. Seating units 1034 maybe located in row 1048. Seating unit 1036 may be located in row 1050,and seating unit 1038 may be located in row 1052.

In these illustrative examples, the seating units in row 1040 may bepart of untapered section 1054. The seating units in rows 1042, 1044,1046, 1048, 1050, and 1052 may be part of tapered section 1056 ofaircraft 1006.

As can be seen in this illustrative example, seating units in untaperedsection 1054 each may have three seating systems as depicted in seatingunits 1010, 1012, and 1014. Seating units in tapered section 1056 mayvary in the number of seating systems present in a seating unit.

For example, in row 1042, seating unit 1016 may have two seatingsystems, seating unit 1018 may have three seating systems, and seatingunit 1020 may have two seating systems. In row 1044, seating unit 1022may have a single seating system, seating unit 1024 may have threeseating systems, and seating unit 1026 may have a single seating system.

In a similar fashion, in row 1046, seating unit 1028 may have a singleseating system, seating unit 1030 may have three seating units, andseating system 1032 may have a single seating unit. In row 1048, asingle seating unit may be present with three seating systems. In row1050, a single seating unit may be present as well as in row 1052.

In these illustrative examples, one or more of plurality of seatingunits 1002 may be implemented using seating unit 228 shown in block formin FIG. 2. For example, seating unit 1030 may include two differenttypes of seating systems. In other words, the seating systems may havetwo different types of dimensions to accommodate different types ofpassengers.

As depicted, seating system 1055 in seating unit 1034 may accommodatefirst type of passenger 270 while seating system 1057 and seating system1058 in seating unit 1034 may accommodate second type of passenger 272shown in block form in FIG. 2. In a similar fashion, seating units 1022,1028, 1026, 1032, 1036, and 1038 may accommodate first type of passenger270.

As another example, seating system 1060 and seating system 1062 inseating unit 1030 may accommodate second type of passenger 272 whileseating system 1064 may accommodate first type of passenger 270.

With tapered section 1056, seating systems with different types ofdimensions may be present to accommodate different types of passengers.Seating systems with larger seats may be placed in locations, such astapered section 1056, which normally would be wasted or unused.

In other words, seating systems may be used in seating units to seatlarger sized passengers rather than using standard seating systems. Thelarger seating systems may use space that cannot be used with standardseating systems. In the illustrative examples, the seating unit may beselected such that unused space in the tapered section of the aircraftis reduced. In particular, the selection of seating systems for theseating unit may be selected to reduce unused space. For example, onlytwo seating systems may be used in a seating unit for a particularlocation in tapered section 1056 instead of a seating unit with threeseating systems. With this situation some space may still be presentbetween a seating system in the seating unit and the fuselage of theaircraft. A larger seating system may be used that uses more of thespace present between the seating unit and the fuselage of the aircraft.

If passengers requiring the larger seating systems are not present,these seating systems may be sold to customers for a higher pricebecause they provide additional space and comfort.

In these illustrative examples, first plurality of seating systems 1070in untapered section 1054 may have a selected number of seating systemsarranged in rows. Second plurality of seating systems 1072 in taperedsection 1056 may have at least one less seating system in one row ascompared to first plurality of seating systems 1070 in which secondplurality of seating systems 1072 includes at least one more seatingsystem of first type of seating system 282 shown in block form in FIG. 2as compared to first plurality of seating systems 1070. Further, allseating systems in first plurality of seating systems 1070 may be secondtype of seating system 284 in these illustrative examples.

For example, the seating systems in seating units 1010, 1012, and 1014in row 1040 in untapered section 1054 may have nine seating systems. Incomparison, the seating systems in seating units 1028, 1030, and 1032 inrow 1046 in tapered section 1056 may have five seating systems. Three ofthese seating systems may be first type of seating system 282 while twoof the seating systems may be second type of seating system 284. Ofcourse, other configurations may be present in other implementations.

With reference now to FIG. 11, an illustration of a fuselage withseating units is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment.In this illustrative example, cross-section 1100 of fuselage 1102 withpassenger area 1103 is depicted. In this illustrative example, seatingunit 1104 and seating unit 1106 are illustrated within passenger area1103 in this cross-sectional view.

In this illustrative example, seating unit 1104 comprises seatingsystems 1108, which are illustrated as attached to frame 1110. Seatingsystems 1112 are illustrated as being attached to frame 1114. In thisillustrative example, seating systems 1108 may comprise seating system1116, seating system 1118, and seating system 1120. Seating systems 1112in seating unit 1106 may comprise seating systems 1122, 1124, 1126, and1128.

In this illustrative example, seating system 1116 may comprise seatcushion 1130 and seat back 1132. These components may have width 1134.Seating system 1118 may have seat cushion 1136 and seat back 1138. Seatcushion 1136 and seat back 1138 may have width 1140. Seating system 1120may comprise seat cushion 1142 and seat back 1144. Seat cushion 1142 andseat back 1144 may have width 1146.

In seating unit 1106, seating system 1122 may have seat cushion 1150 andseat back 1152 with width 1154. Seat cushion 1156 and seat back 1158 inseating system 1124 may have width 1160. Seating system 1126 may haveseat cushion 1162 and seat back 1164. These components may have width1166. Seat cushion 1168 and seat back 1170 in seating system 1128 mayhave width 1172. In these illustrative examples, width 1134 for seatingsystem 1116 and width 1140 for seating system 1118 may be about the samewidth. Width 1134 and width 1140 may be greater than width 1146 forseating system 1120.

As illustrated, width 1154 for seating system 1122, width 1160 forseating system 1124, and width 1166 for seating system 1126 may be aboutthe same width. Width 1172 for seating system 1128 may be greater thanwidth 1154, width 1160, and width 1166 in these illustrative examples.

A greater width for width 1134 and width 1172 may provide additionalroom for passengers, such as passenger 1178. In these illustrativeexamples, width 1134 and width 1172 may provide better comfort forpassengers in those seating systems. Width 1134 may be especially usefulwith respect to curvature 1174 in fuselage 1102. Headroom 1176 for head1182 for passenger 1178 may be sufficient with width 1134 as opposed towidth 1146 based on headroom 1176 available for seating system 1116adjacent to curvature 1174 of fuselage 1102.

In a similar instance, width 1172 may provide for greater comfort forpassenger 1178 in addition to headroom 1176 being sufficient withrespect to curvature 1174 in fuselage 1102.

With reference now to FIG. 12, an illustration of a seating unit isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. In thisillustrative example, seating unit 1200 is an illustration of a physicalimplementation for seating unit 228 shown in block form in FIG. 2.

In this illustrative example, seating unit 1200 comprises plurality ofseating systems 1202. Seating system 1204, seating system 1206, andseating system 1208 may be seating systems within plurality of seatingsystems 1202.

Frame 1210 in seating unit 1200 may be configured to be connected toplurality of seating systems 1202. In this illustrative example, seatingsystem 1204 may comprise seat back 1212 and seat cushion 1214. Thesecomponents may have width 1216. Seat cushion 1218 and seat back 1220 mayhave width 1222. In seating system 1208, seat cushion 1224 and seat back1226 may have width 1228.

Additionally, seating unit 1200 also may include arm rests 1230, 1232,1234, and 1236. As depicted, width 1216 may be present between arm rest1230 and arm rest 1232. Width 1222 may be present between arm rest 1232and arm rest 1234. Width 1228 may be present between arm rest 1234 andarm rest 1236.

In this illustrative example, arm rest 1230 and arm rest 1232 may be forseating system 1204. Arm rest 1232 and arm rest 1234 may be for seatingsystem 1206. Arm rest 1234 and arm rest 1236 may be for seating system1208. As can be seen, width 1216 of seating system 1204 may be greaterthan width 1222 of seating system 1206 and width 1228 of seating system1208.

As illustrated, frame 1210 for seating unit 1200 may have leg elements1238, 1240, 1242, 1244, 1246, 1248, 1250, and 1252 that rest on seatfloor 1254. Seat floor 1254 may be, for example, without limitation, afloor structure. Additionally, frame 1210 also may include seatstructure 1256.

These different components in frame 1210 may be configured to supportpassengers of different types. For example, these components may beconfigured to support both passengers of first type of passenger 270 andsecond type of passenger 272 shown in block form in FIG. 2. When firsttype of passenger 270 is an oversized passenger, these components may bestrengthened to provide additional support for the additional weight.The strengthening may be achieved through a selection of at least one ofmaterials, leg element design, seat structure design, and other suitableparameters. The strengthening may occur such that these components maynot fail under specified design load conditions.

With reference now to FIG. 13, an exploded view of a seating unit isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment.

With reference now to FIG. 14, an illustration of arm rests in a portionof a frame is depicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Inthis illustrative example, a portion of frame 1210 is illustrated inmore detail. In this illustrative example, frame 1210 may haveattachment points 1400, 1402, 1404, and 1406. These attachment pointsmay take the form of openings 1408, 1410, 1412, and 1414.

Peg 1416 for arm rest 1230 may be placed into opening 1408 and peg 1418for arm rest 1232 may be placed into opening 1414. Arm rest 1230 maypivot in the direction of arrow 1405 and arm rest 1232 may pivot in thedirection of arrow 1407 when peg 1416 is placed into opening 1408 andpeg 1418 is placed into opening 1414. This placement of arm rest 1230and arm rest 1232 may result in width 1413 being present between armrest 1230 and arm rest 1232.

Peg 1416 for arm rest 1230 also may be placed into opening 1410, and peg1418 for arm rest 1232 may be placed into opening 1412. This placementof arm rest 1230 and arm rest 1232 may result in width 1415 beingpresent between arm rest 1230 and arm rest 1232.

As depicted, width 1415 may be about 18 inches. Width 1413 may be about22 inches in this illustrative example.

The illustration of arm rest 1230 and arm rest 1232 being placed intodifferent openings is not meant to limit the manner in which widthsbetween arm rests may be adjusted. Other mechanisms may be used to varythe width between arm rests. For example, without limitation, the armrests may be adjusted or may slide to change between width 1413 andwidth 1415 without changing attachment points.

With reference now to FIG. 15, an illustration of arm restconfigurations is depicted in accordance with an advantageousembodiment. In this illustrative example, configurations 1500 may beused with frame 1210 in FIG. 12.

Configurations 1500 may be used when only one set of openings may bepresent for pair of arm rests 1501 in frame 1210. Configurations 1500allow for widths between the arm rests to be changed. In this manner,configurations 1500 may allow for pair of arm rests 1501 to function asadjustable arm rests. For example, configuration 1502 of arm rest 1504and arm rest 1506 in pair of arm rests 1501 may result in width 1508. Inthis manner, arm rest 1504 and arm rest 1506 each may be an adjustablearm rest.

Configuration 1510 of arm rest 1504 and arm rest 1506 may result inwidth 1512. In this illustrative example, width 1508 may be about 18inches. Width 1512 may be about 22 inches.

The illustrations of passenger areas, seating units, seating systems,and other components in FIGS. 5-15 may be combined with components inFIG. 2, used with components in FIG. 2, or a combination of the two.Additionally, some of the components shown in these figures may beillustrative examples of how components shown in block form in FIG. 2may be implemented as physical structures. Further, the differentcomponents illustrated in FIGS. 5-15 are illustrations of one manner inwhich passenger area design 306 in FIG. 3 may be implemented.

Further, these illustrations are not meant to imply limitations to themanner in which different advantageous embodiments may be implemented.For example, without limitation, in some illustrative examples, frame1210 may include a support for a seat back. In still other illustrativeexamples, other types of arm rests may be used. These arm rests may beintegrated with seat backs or may take other forms depending on theparticular implementation.

Also, the number of seating systems illustrated for seating units inFIGS. 5-13 are only examples and not meant to imply limitations to thenumber of seating systems that may be used. For example, withoutlimitation, some seating units may have five seating systems and othersmay have six seating systems depending on the particular implementation.

Although the different illustrative examples discuss widths with respectto seat cushions, these widths may also apply to other components inseating systems. For example, the different widths may be applied towidths for seat backs, widths between arm rests, and other suitablecomponents. As yet another illustrative example, other dimensions thatmay vary in seating systems may include a depth of a seat, a thicknessof a seat cushion, a height of a seat back, and other suitabledimensions. These and other dimensions may be selected based on adesired level of comfort and an ability to provide seating forpassengers of different sizes.

Further, other particular values for seat widths have been described inthese figures. These examples are not meant to limit differentadvantageous embodiments to the illustrative widths described above. Forexample, the first seating system may be described as being about 18inches. In other illustrative examples, the first seating system mayhave a width of about 16 inches, 17 inches, 17.5 inches, 18.5 inches,19.75 inches, or any other suitable widths. As another example, thesecond seating system has been described as being from about 20 inchesto about 26 inches.

Other ranges may be used. For example, the second width of the secondseating system may be about 19 inches, 20 inches, 21 inches, 22 inches,25 inches, or any other number of widths that are different from thewidth of the first seating system. In yet another illustrative example,a seating system may have a width of less than 18 inches. This smallerwidth may be selected to accommodate children. For example, a family offour with two children may fit, when smaller seating systems areselected, into a seating unit that normally seats three people.

With reference now to FIG. 16, an illustration of a flowchart of aprocess for configuring an aircraft is depicted in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment. In particular, the process in FIG. 16 may beused to identify configuration 312 for passenger area design 306 shownin block form in FIG. 3. This configuration may be performed in betweenflights of an aircraft and/or during service and/or maintenance of anaircraft.

The process begins by identifying fuselage design 308 (operation 1600).Fuselage design 308 may be an existing aircraft design or a new aircraftdesign. The process then configures passenger area 220 (operation 1602),with the process terminating thereafter.

In operation 1602, the configuration of passenger area 220 may includegenerating passenger area design 306 using design module 302.Thereafter, passenger area design 306 may be used to implementconfiguration 312 in aircraft 200.

In another illustrative example, arm rests may not be included in aseating unit. In yet another example, some seating systems may includearm rests, while other seating systems in the same seating unit may notinclude arm rests.

The process illustrated in FIG. 16 may be used to design passenger area220 for aircraft 200. This design may be part of designing aircraft 200,reconfiguring aircraft 200, or other suitable operations with respect topassenger area 220 for aircraft 200.

With reference now to FIG. 17, an illustration of a flowchart of aprocess for assigning seating systems is depicted in accordance with anadvantageous embodiment. The process illustrated in FIG. 17 may beimplemented in aircraft seating selection system 400 shown in block formin FIG. 4. In particular, the different operations in this flowchart maybe implemented in seat assignment module 406 shown in block form in FIG.4.

The process may begin by selecting a passenger that has not yet beenprocessed for seating (operation 1700). The process may identify type ofpassenger 269 for the passenger (operation 1702). For example, apassenger type may be first type of passenger 270, second type ofpassenger 272, or some other suitable type of passenger. In theseillustrative examples, first type of passenger 270 may be a passengergreater than about a 98^(th) percentile in hip width while second typeof passenger 272 may be equal to or less than about a 98^(th) percentilein hip width.

The process then may identify passenger preferences 424 (operation1704). The process then may identify a class of seating (operation1706). In these illustrative examples, the class of seating may be, forexample, without limitation, first class, business class, standardclass, economy class, or some other suitable type of class of seating.The class of seating may be identified using passenger preferences 424.

The process then may identify available seating systems in the selectedclass of seating (operation 1708). The process then may select a seatingsystem for the passenger based on the passenger type and passengerpreferences 424 (operation 1710). The process then may assign a seatingsystem to the passenger in passenger seating 422 (operation 1712).

Next, the process may determine whether additional unprocessedpassengers are still present that need seat assignments (operation1714). If additional unprocessed passengers are present, the process mayreturn to operation 1700. Otherwise, the process terminates.

The flowcharts and block diagrams in the different depicted embodimentsillustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of somepossible implementations of apparatuses and methods in an advantageousembodiment. In this regard, each block in the flowcharts or blockdiagrams may represent a module, segment, function, and/or a portion ofan operation or step. For example, one or more of the blocks may beimplemented as program code, in hardware, or a combination of theprogram code and hardware. When implemented in hardware, the hardwaremay, for example, take the form of integrated circuits that aremanufactured or configured to perform one or more operations in theflowcharts or block diagrams.

In some alternative implementations of an advantageous embodiment, thefunction or functions noted in the block may occur out of the ordernoted in the figures. For example, in some cases, two blocks shown insuccession may be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be performed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. Also, other blocks may be added in addition tothe illustrated blocks in a flowchart or block diagram.

The process illustrated may be implemented in aircraft 200 shown inblock form in FIG. 2. In these illustrative examples, the process can beimplemented in software, hardware, or a combination of the two. Whensoftware is used, the operations performed by the processes may beimplemented in the program code configured to be run on a processorunit. When hardware is employed, the hardware may include circuits thatoperate to perform the operations in the processes illustrated.

In the illustrative examples, the hardware may take the form of acircuit system, an integrated circuit, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device, or some othersuitable type of hardware configured to perform a number of operations.With a programmable logic device, the device may be configured toperform the number of operations. The device may be reconfigured at alater time or may be permanently configured to perform the number ofoperations. Examples of programmable logic devices include, for example,a programmable logic array, programmable array logic, a fieldprogrammable logic array, a field programmable gate array, and othersuitable hardware devices. Additionally, the processes may beimplemented in organic components integrated with inorganic componentsand/or may be comprised entirely of organic components excluding a humanbeing.

Thus, in this manner, the different advantageous embodiments provide amethod and apparatus for configuring passenger areas for an aircraft.With the different advantageous embodiments, seating systems ofdifferent sizes may be included to accommodate oversized passengerswithout requiring oversized passengers to use more than one seatingsystem. Further, when a larger seating system is used, a greater fee maybe charged for those seating systems. In this manner, an aircraftoperator may increase or optimize revenues and increase passengersatisfaction.

Turning next to FIG. 18, an illustration of characteristics forpassengers used to identify seating units is depicted in accordance withan advantageous embodiment. In this depicted example, table 1800illustrates information that may be used by design module 302 in FIG. 3to design seating units 326. The information in table 1800 also may beused to assign seating systems. For example, seat assignment module 406in FIG. 4 may use this information in table 1800 to classify passengersin assigning seating systems 408 to generate passenger seating 422.

As depicted, table 1800 may have rows 1802 and columns 1804. Rows 1802may identify percentiles for different characteristics of people.Columns 1804 may identify characteristics of people.

Rows 1802 may identify percentiles from about 98.0 percent to about 99.9percent. Column 1806 may identify male and female weight averages forthe different percentiles. Column 1808 may specify weight for malepassengers in pounds. Column 1810 may include weight for femalepassengers in pounds. Shoulder width for male passengers may beidentified in column 1812 in inches. In column 1814, hip width forfemale passengers may be identified in inches.

The illustration of table 1800 is not meant to imply limitations to thedifferent characteristics that may be taken into account for passengersin designing and/or assigning seating systems. For example, othercharacteristics that may be taken into account may include, for example,hip width for male passengers, height, and other suitablecharacteristics.

Turning now to FIG. 19, an illustration of a data processing system isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Data processingsystem 1900 is an example of a data processing system that may be usedto implement a computer in computer system 304 shown in block form inFIG. 3. In this illustrative example, data processing system 1900includes communications framework 1902, which provides communicationsbetween processor unit 1904, memory 1906, persistent storage 1908,communications unit 1910, input/output (I/O) unit 1912, and display1914.

Processor unit 1904 serves to execute instructions for software that maybe loaded into memory 1906. Processor unit 1904 may be a number ofprocessors, a multi-processor core, or some other type of processor,depending on the particular implementation. A number, as used hereinwith reference to an item, means one or more items. Further, processorunit 1904 may be implemented using a number of heterogeneous processorsystems in which a main processor is present with secondary processorson a single chip. As another illustrative example, processor unit 1904may be a symmetric multi-processor system containing multiple processorsof the same type.

Memory 1906 and persistent storage 1908 are examples of storage devices1916. A storage device may be any piece of hardware that is capable ofstoring information, such as, for example, without limitation, data,program code in functional form, or other suitable information either ona temporary basis or a permanent basis. Storage devices 1916 may also bereferred to as computer readable storage devices in these examples.Memory 1906, in these examples, may be, for example, a random accessmemory or any other suitable volatile or non-volatile storage device.Persistent storage 1908 may take various forms, depending on theparticular implementation.

For example, persistent storage 1908 may contain one or more componentsor devices. For example, persistent storage 1908 may be a hard drive, aflash memory, a rewritable optical disk, a rewritable magnetic tape, orsome combination of the above. The media used by persistent storage 1908also may be removable. For example, a removable hard drive may be usedfor persistent storage 1908.

Communications unit 1910, in these examples, provides for communicationswith other data processing systems or devices. In these examples,communications unit 1910 may be a network interface card. Communicationsunit 1910 may provide communications through the use of either or bothphysical and wireless communications links.

Input/output unit 1912 allows for input and output of data with otherdevices that may be connected to data processing system 1900. Forexample, input/output unit 1912 may provide a connection for user inputthrough a keyboard, a mouse, and/or some other suitable input device.Further, input/output unit 1912 may send output to a printer. Display1914 provides a mechanism to display information to a user.

Instructions for the operating system, applications, and/or programs maybe located in storage devices 1916, which are in communication withprocessor unit 1904 through communications framework 1902. In theseillustrative examples, the instructions may be in a functional form onpersistent storage 1908. These instructions may be loaded into memory1906 for execution by processor unit 1904. The processes of thedifferent embodiments may be performed by processor unit 1904 usingcomputer implemented instructions, which may be located in a memory,such as memory 1906.

These instructions may be referred to as program code, computer usableprogram code, or computer readable program code that may be read andexecuted by a processor in processor unit 1904. The program code in thedifferent embodiments may be embodied on different physical or computerreadable storage media, such as memory 1906 or persistent storage 1908.

Program code 1918 may be located in a functional form on computerreadable media 1920 that is selectively removable and may be loaded ontoor transferred to data processing system 1900 for execution by processorunit 1904. Program code 1918 and computer readable media 1920 formcomputer program product 1922 in these examples. In one example,computer readable media 1920 may be computer readable storage media 1924or computer readable signal media 1926. Computer readable storage media1924 may include, for example, an optical or magnetic disk that may beinserted or placed into a drive or other device that is part ofpersistent storage 1908 for transfer onto a storage device, such as ahard drive, that is part of persistent storage 1908. Computer readablestorage media 1924 also may take the form of a persistent storage, suchas a hard drive, a thumb drive, or a flash memory, that is connected todata processing system 1900. In some instances, computer readablestorage media 1924 may not be removable from data processing system1900. In these examples, computer readable storage media 1924 may be aphysical or tangible storage device used to store program code 1918rather than a medium that propagates or transmits program code 1918.Computer readable storage media 1924 may also be referred to as acomputer readable tangible storage device or a computer readablephysical storage device. In other words, computer readable storage media1924 may be a media that can be touched by a person.

Alternatively, program code 1918 may be transferred to data processingsystem 1900 using computer readable signal media 1926. Computer readablesignal media 1926 may be, for example, a propagated data signalcontaining program code 1918. For example, computer readable signalmedia 1926 may be an electromagnetic signal, an optical signal, and/orany other suitable type of signal. These signals may be transmitted overcommunications links, such as wireless communications links, opticalfiber cable, coaxial cable, a wire, and/or any other suitable type ofcommunications link. In other words, the communications link and/or theconnection may be physical or wireless in the illustrative examples.

In some advantageous embodiments, program code 1918 may be downloadedover a network to persistent storage 1908 from another device or dataprocessing system through computer readable signal media 1926 for usewithin data processing system 1900. For instance, program code stored ina computer readable storage medium in a server data processing systemmay be downloaded over a network from the server to data processingsystem 1900. The data processing system providing program code 1918 maybe a server computer, a client computer, or some other device capable ofstoring and transmitting program code 1918.

The different components illustrated for data processing system 1900 arenot meant to provide architectural limitations to the manner in whichdifferent embodiments may be implemented. The different advantageousembodiments may be implemented in a data processing system includingcomponents in addition to or in place of those illustrated for dataprocessing system 1900. Other components shown in FIG. 19 can be variedfrom the illustrative examples shown. The different embodiments may beimplemented using any hardware device or system capable of runningprogram code 1918.

In another illustrative example, processor unit 1904 may take the formof a hardware unit that has circuits that are manufactured or configuredfor a particular use. This type of hardware may perform operationswithout needing program code 1918 to be loaded into a memory from astorage device to be configured to perform the operations.

For example, when processor unit 1904 takes the form of a hardware unit,processor unit 1904 may be a circuit system, an application specificintegrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device, or some othersuitable type of hardware configured to perform a number of operations.With a programmable logic device, the device may be configured toperform the number of operations. The device may be reconfigured at alater time or may be permanently configured to perform the number ofoperations. Examples of programmable logic devices include, for example,a programmable logic array, a programmable array logic, a fieldprogrammable logic array, a field programmable gate array, and othersuitable hardware devices. With this type of implementation, programcode 1918 may be omitted because the processes for the differentembodiments are implemented in a hardware unit.

In still another illustrative example, processor unit 1904 may beimplemented using a combination of processors found in computers andhardware units. Processor unit 1904 may have a number of hardware unitsand a number of processors that may be configured to run program code1918. With this depicted example, some of the processes may beimplemented in the number of hardware units, while other processes maybe implemented in the number of processors.

Advantageous embodiments of the disclosure may be described in thecontext of aircraft manufacturing and service method 2000 as shown inFIG. 20 and aircraft 2100 as shown in FIG. 21. Turning first to FIG. 20,an illustration of an aircraft manufacturing and service method isdepicted in accordance with an advantageous embodiment. Duringpre-production, aircraft manufacturing and service method 2000 mayinclude specification and design 2002 of aircraft 2100 in FIG. 21 andmaterial procurement 2004.

During production, component and subassembly manufacturing 2006 andsystem integration 2008 of aircraft 2100 in FIG. 21 takes place.Thereafter, aircraft 2100 in FIG. 21 may go through certification anddelivery 2010 in order to be placed in-service 2012. While in-service2012 by a customer, aircraft 2100 in FIG. 21 may be scheduled forroutine maintenance and service 2014, which may include modification,reconfiguration, refurbishment, and other maintenance or service.

Each of the processes of aircraft manufacturing and service method 2000may be performed or carried out by a system integrator, a third party,and/or an operator. In these examples, the operator may be a customer.For the purposes of this description, a system integrator may include,without limitation, any number of aircraft manufacturers andmajor-system subcontractors; a third party may include, withoutlimitation, any number of vendors, subcontractors, and suppliers; and anoperator may be an airline, a leasing company, a military entity, aservice organization, and so on.

With reference now to FIG. 21, an illustration of an aircraft isdepicted in which an advantageous embodiment may be implemented. In thisexample, aircraft 2100 may be produced by aircraft manufacturing andservice method 2000 in FIG. 20 and may include airframe 2102 withplurality of systems 2104 and interior 2106. Examples of systems 2104include one or more of propulsion system 2108, electrical system 2110,hydraulic system 2112, and environmental system 2114. Any number ofother systems may be included.

Apparatuses and methods embodied herein may be employed during at leastone of the stages of aircraft manufacturing and service method 2000 inFIG. 20.

In one illustrative example, components or subassemblies produced incomponent and subassembly manufacturing 2006 in FIG. 20 may befabricated or manufactured in a manner similar to components orsubassemblies produced while aircraft 2100 is in-service 2012 in FIG.20. As yet another example, one or more apparatus embodiments, methodembodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized during productionstages, such as component and subassembly manufacturing 2006 and systemintegration 2008 in FIG. 20. One or more apparatus embodiments, methodembodiments, or a combination thereof may be utilized while aircraft2100 is in-service 2012 and/or during maintenance and service 2014 inFIG. 20.

For example, one or more advantageous embodiments may be implementedduring at least one of specification and design 2002, system integration2008, and maintenance and service 2014 to configure a passenger area2116 in interior 2106 of aircraft 2100. In particular, passenger area2116 may be implemented using a seating unit, such as seating unit 228in FIG. 2.

The description of the different advantageous embodiments has beenpresented for purposes of illustration and description, and is notintended to be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments in the formdisclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art. Further, different advantageousembodiments may provide different advantages as compared to otheradvantageous embodiments. The embodiment or embodiments selected arechosen and described in order to best explain the principles of theembodiments, the practical application, and to enable others of ordinaryskill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodimentswith various modifications as may be suited to the particular usecontemplated.

What is claimed is:
 1. An aircraft seating system comprising: a fuselagehaving an untapered section and a tapered section; a first type of seathaving first dimensions configured to seat a first type of passenger; asecond type of seat having second dimensions configured to seat a secondtype of passenger in which the second dimensions are different from thefirst dimensions in which the first type of passenger has a hip widththat is unable to fit in the second type of seat; a first plurality ofseats in the untapered section having a selected number of seats in aselected row; and a second plurality of seats located in one row of thetapered section, the second plurality of seats having at least one lessseat in the one row as compared to the first plurality of seats in theselected row in which the second plurality of seats includes at leastone more seat of the first type of seat as compared to the firstplurality of seats.
 2. The aircraft seating system of claim 1, whereinall seats in the first plurality of seats are of the second type ofseat.
 3. The aircraft seating system of claim 1, wherein the untaperedsection has a first width that remains substantially untapered along alength of the untapered section and the tapered section has a secondwidth that reduces along a length of the tapered section.
 4. Theaircraft seating system of claim 1, wherein the first type of seat has afirst seat width that is at least about 20 inches and the second type ofseat has a second seat width from about 16 inches to about 19 inches. 5.The aircraft seating system of claim 1, wherein the first type of seathas a first seat width that is configured to seat the first type ofpassenger being greater than a 98^(th) percentile in the hip width. 6.The aircraft seating system of claim 1, wherein a seating unit isselected such that unused space in the tapered section of the aircraftis reduced.
 7. A passenger aircraft seating apparatus comprising: aplurality of seats in which a first seat in the plurality of seats hasdifferent dimensions from a second seat in the plurality of seats inwhich the first seat has first dimensions and the second seat has seconddimensions in which the first dimensions are configured to seat a firsttype of passenger and the second dimensions are configured to seat asecond type of passenger, wherein the first type of passenger is unableto fit in the second seat; and a frame configured to be connected to theplurality of seats; a first set of seats in the untapered section havinga selected number of seats in a selected row; and a second set of seatslocated in one row of the tapered section, the second set of seatshaving at least one less seat in the one row as compared to the firstset of seats in the selected row in which the second set of seatsincludes at least one more seat of the first type of seat as compared tothe first set of seats.
 8. The passenger aircraft seating apparatus ofclaim 7, wherein the first seat is alongside a cabin wall of thepassenger aircraft.